Display container for wrenches



Feb. 25, B936, T, o. RUEB DISPLAY CONTAINER FOR WRENCHES Filed oct. 28, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY CONTAINER FOR WRENCHES Theodore 0. Rueb, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Sherman-Klove Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application October 28, 1933, Serial No. 695,563

5 Claims.

This invention relates to socket wrench sets and boxesv or containers for holding the same, such containers being preferably formed so that the sets will be attractively displayed therein. 5 These sets usually comprise one or more handle members and a plurality of sockets and other parts for use with the handles and the present invention is directed to a suitable container for holding such par-ts in securely assembled relation.

The ob-jects of this invention are to provide an improved box or container for tools; to provide a container for a socket wrench set which will hold the parts securely in position and which may be readily manipulated for removal and replacement of parts; to provide a box having a slidable wall or support for fastening sockets or the like therein; and to provide such other novel features and advantages as will appear more fully hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating this invention;

Figure 1 is a plan view of the container showing a wrench set therein;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the movable support in retracted position, as for inserting or removing the sockets;

Figure 3 is a sectional view-taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional 6-6 of Figure 5.

View taken on the line In the particular construction shown in Figures 1 to 4 the of a single piece of 8, front 9, end

case or container 1 is preferably formed sheet metal and has a bottom I0 and back or rear wall II. The

case or container is preferably narrower at one end than ranged at an angle in tion in the sizes of usually of assorted in diameter. The

such that the sockets will parallel with the vfront at the other, the rear wall I I being araccordance with the variathe sockets I2, which are sizes and increase gradually arrangement is preferably all be tangent to a line wall 9. The rear wall II has a forwardly projecting flange I3 which takes over the tops of the sockets I2 and tends to hold them in the case or container.

The sockets are securely held under the flange I3 by means of a slidable retaining member or clamp piece I4.

This retainer comprises a strip I5 of sheet metal or the like, having arcuate or diagonally arranged slots I6 which are slidably engaged by rivets I these rivets holding 1 in the bottom of the box 8, the parts together while permitting adjustment of the retaining member. The strip I5 is turned upl at one end to provide an abutment I8 and is turned up at the other end to provide a combined abutment and fingerpiece I9. The front edge of the strip I5 is also 5 bent upwardly to provide a wall or flange 20 for engagement with the sides of the sockets I2.

By means of this arrangement it will be readily seen that when the retaining member I4 is drawn to the right asI shown in Figure 2, or to retracted position, the sockets may be conveniently arranged in position thereo-n and then when the retaining member is pushed to the left or to fastening position as shown in Figure 1, the sockets will be moved under the flange I3 and will be held securely within the box. It will be noted that the curvature of the slots I5, alone, or together with the friction between the parts, will tend to hold or lock the retainer against any accidental displacement so that the sockets are securely held in position. While I have shown sockets of increasing sizes it will be readily seen that i'f sockets of uniform size are to be retained, the box could be shaped accordingly.

The wrench handle 2l is shown as of the L-type and its closely in the front portion of the box as shown in Figure 1. The front and end wall have lugs or projections 22 which are preferably pressed inwardly therefrom for holding the handle and the short end or tool engaging portion 23 is clamped between the end Ill of the box and the end I8 ofthe retainer. From this description it will be seen that I provide a container of the character set forth in which the wrench parts may be displayed in an attractive manner and the device may also be cheaply made and will be durable and eiiici'ent in use.

In the modiiied form of construction shown in Figures 5 and 6 the box or socket container portion 24 has a bottom 25 with a front ange or wall 26, and a rear wall 21 which is extended upwardly for a considerable distance in order to support the handles or other members. The sockets I2 are held in position by a retainer 28 which in this case moves vertically instead of horizontally. This retainer has a back wall 29 with arcuate or cam shaped grooves 30 which are engaged by rivets. 3I in the back 21. The retainer has a forwardly projecting flange 32 which fits over the tops of the sockets as will be readily seen from the drawing. The retainer is also provided at one end with a thumb piece 33 for manipulating the same. In this instance the sockets are held against lateral movement by the 55 Cil -shown and described except as Walls of the box and the retainer is raised for removal of the sockets and is lowered to hold them in the container. The handle 2| is removably supported on the back 21 by means of clamps or lugs 34 and 35 which are preferably formed integrally with the back. A ratchet handle 36 is also supported on the back by means of lugs or clamps l3'! and a screw driver or other tool 38 is also shown as being supported by lugs or clamps 39.

While various terms such as top, bottom, sides, etc. have been used herein for convenienceV in description, it will be understood that the` invention resides in the structures as disclosed in the drawing regardless of the relative positioning of the same.

While I have shown two embodiments of my invention which illustrate different arrangements of the retainer, it will also be noted that other modifications or changes may be made within the scope ofthe invention and therefore I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction herein specied in the following claims, in which I claim:

1. A container of the character set forth, having a bottom and upwardly projecting walls, one of said walls having inwardly projecting means for engagement with sockets or the like, a retainer and means for securing the retainer to the bottom whereby it will move laterally when moved longitudinally, said retainer serving to assist in holding parts in the container.

2. A new article of manufacture comprising a case for socket Wrench sets, having a body formed of sheet metal with a bottom and front, end and rear walls, the rear Wall having an inwardly projecting flange at the top thereof, a slide having diagonally arranged slots therein, rivets in the bottom engaging with said slots and walls on the slide adapted to coact with the Wrench parts for holding the same in position, and projections on the front and end wall of the case which cooperate With the slide to hold the handle therein.

3. A display container for Wrench sockets formed of sheet metal and having a longitudinal portion adapted to engage with all of the sockets for partially supporting them in the container and a slide adjustably mounted on one of the Walls of the container by means of pins coacting with diagonal slots in the slide to cause the slide to move toward and away from the sockets, said slide having a longitudinal projection adapted to engage with the sockets to fasten them in the container.

4. A display container for socket wrench sets comprising a tray having a relatively low, upwardly extending front wall and a high back wall between which a plurality of sockets are to be supported, a slide having diagonally arranged slots therein, and rivets secured to the back wall and engaging with said slots, said slide having a forwardly projecting flange for engagement with all of the sockets.

5. A container for wrench sockets comprisingl a case having a longitudinal portion adapted to engage with all of the sockets for partially supporting them in the container, a slide having diagonal slots therein, means on one of the walls of the container engaging with said slots whereby the slide will move toward and away from the sockets when moved longitudinally, said slide having a longitudinal portion adapted to engage with the sockets to fasten them in the container.

THEODORE O. RUEB. 

